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Practical Characteristics of General Lee's Command and Leadership

Lim Ik-soon 1 Sung-Hee Lee 2

1육군
2한국과학기술원

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study has been conducted in order to investigate where the principle, which General Yi Sun-sin Lee had practiced and kept, came from, how they applied during the whole period of his military service, and what lessons could be drawn from the conclusions. The term of ‘command’ was used, as now, to indicate the hierarchical relations in the military command structure or show the meaning of performing military orders in a situation where the seniors give orders and the juniors must follow them. The other term of ‘leadership’, which is quite similar to the term of command though, referred to the meaning of more widely governing and ruling military forces or affairs. The norms of command and leadership in the early years of the Joseon Dynasty were defined by the philosophy of employing military forces, basic characteristics of combat commanders, the concepts of organizing military positions and employing troops, and applying military command, all of which were written by King Sejo himself, including the basic ideas of Confucianism. With the special emphasis on these norms, General Lee took the initiative in practicing his own principles which have two distinctive dimensions of conformity and creativity. The principle of conformity is closely related with the principles of keeping faithfulness and establishing command, while the principle of creativity refers to the concepts of benevolence and discipline including the employment of military tactics. In practicing the principles of faithfulness, we regard the things we must tactic staking into account of the battlefield situations and the enemy. For the principle of establishing command, however, we need to have great respect for the dignity of humans and carefully apply the military law in accordance with changes in the law system. With regard to the principle, we should make an effort to be mentally strong enough to be voluntarily faced with combat through the sophistication of military education and discussion.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.